The Foolishness of God Saved My Life

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe" (1 Cor 1:18)

Paul is pointing out in this verse that there is a stark difference between the world's wisdom and God's wisdom. What God calls wisdom is seen as foolishness by the world. I can remember moments where I scoffed at church and Christians as a kid, in high school, and even in college. Those memories are shameful to me now, but exhibits the kind of scorn that I had during my developmental years.

I learned all about science in school and the theory of evolution. I went to the best schools from primary through college. No where was I taught spiritual disciplines and truth, but at the same time no one could say that I'm not fully trained in the wisdom of the world.

But what kind of behaviors did my scorn of Godly ways develop? I turned into an unhappy and lonely young adult who didn't feel like I had a sliver of hope or meaning in my life. I was empty.

It was not until I resolved to let God run my life fully and completely that I knew that I had a purpose. I wasn't just a number amongst the seas of evolved accidents, but I was fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in my mother's womb. I also knew how to conduct myself more and more as I read the scripture and learned that God's wisdom was unchanged from the beginning of time. What I had once believed as foolish, gave me the greatest wisdom in the world.

My life changed, and even more importantly, the Holy Spirit had come into my life. I no longer walked alone. Frequent moments of loneliness that I used to have were completely gone. I knew that even when I sat by myself, the Lord was with me. It was an amazing thing - a miracle by itself.

When I hear of suicides or similar acts of desperation, I always despair that that person obviously tried to handle all their problems and issues alone. The weight of the world wasn't meant to be handled by our own strength. As created beings, we were meant to walk with our Creator. I always think, "What if they had only called out to Jesus - not just for a miracle, but to resolve to do everything God's ways?" I know they would have discovered the strength to change, and the way to a life deeper and more fulfilling than they could have ever imagined.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the way out of the downward spiral of my life. Thank You for loving me so much that you continued to pursue me even when I mocked You. If there is a way for me to help others know You, let me do so. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

A Heart That Is Ready For The Master

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food, in due season? ... Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servants says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mt 24:45-51)

We don't know the "when" of Jesus' second coming. Like all things of God, there is a purpose for that because if men knew when to "be good" and "have a come to Jesus moment", they would live selfishly until that very moment. It would be part of our sin nature to say, "I know exactly when the Lord will come back (or when I'll die) and so I don't have to care about how the Lord asked me to act until the very moment of his return."

God knows that our sin natures and ability to fall for rational lies are so strong that we are prone to do the minimum - just enough to scoot by. Take premartial sex - it is only human nature, especially when it comes to something with such a strong allure, to want to try and find where "the line" is and not cross it. That's how Christians get into trouble however because they are trying to follow a rule that gets revised to a worse and worse level until all lines are crossed.

Yes, the Bible has rules and commandments. However, it isn't done for the sake of the rules. It is a lifestyle of abiding in the Lord that is the real emphasis. To have a relationship with Him and to walk alongside the Lord in what He wants to do in and through each and every one of us.

Why? Because that is Heaven - that is the original plan. For us to be with God and living in a manner which is optimum for us - according to the instruction manual that was written by our Creator.

I think this Word is a great reminder for me. In a fast food world, soundbites such as one commandment here or there are easy to digest, but they don't provide a whole picture. Jesus doesn't want us to be rule followers, prone to failing time and time again in our quest to be good while having sin-filled minds. Instead He wants to abide with us and transform us completely from the inside-out. Our thinking, our natures and then down to our actions.

Such a person will stand during times of temptation because they will not be focused on their own struggles, but instead will have the strength of the Holy Spirit within them - a strength that trusts in the Lord through tribulation and desires to follow rather than to simply "get by".

Lord Jesus, I desire to be that kind of believer. One that abides with You and leans on the strength of the Holy Spirit to direct me. If I simply follow You and step where You step, I will not misstep. My deepest desire is to be faithful to You. Sometimes that desire gets covered up by the emotions, problems, fears, and wants of the moment. But as I spend time with You, those extraneous things are brushed off and my heart becomes true. Thank You for allowing me to walk with You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.